Switch



July 7, 1942.

c. l. SMITH 2,289,219

SWITCHY Filed May l-, 1939 3 Sheets-.Sheet l Gtt'orneg C. l. SMITH SWITCH July. 7, 1942.

3 Sheets-Sheet 2 l f l Filed May l, 1939 f :inventor CHR/s Topf/5R. Z SM/TH Gttomeg July 7, 1942.

c. l. SMITH K 2,289,219

SWITCH Fiied May 1, 1959 3 sheets-sheet 3 Clftomeg Patented July 7, 1942 arcane UNITED STATES PATENT @ENCE SWITCH Y Christopher I. Smith, Long Island City, N. Y., as-

signor to Cole Electric Products Co. Inc., Long Island City, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application May 1, 1939, Serial No. 271,073

10 Claims. (Cl. 20D- 67) This invention relates to electrical switches and more particularly to switches housed within a casing and operable under the control of a handle located externally of the switch housing.

One object of the invention is to provide a switch-actuating mechanism which comprises a relatively small number of parts and which in other respects as well is of simple construction and capable of being readily assembled and disassembled.

Another object of the invention is to provide a switch-actuating mechanism including a rod mounted in bearings for turning movement and including toggles connected to said rod for turning the latter and constructed and arranged in such manner that the thrust of the rod on the bearings is substantially equal.

Another object of the invention is to provide a quick-break switch-actuating mechanism which is of simple construction and which is eifective and reliable in operation.

A further object of the invention is to provide a switch-actuating mechanism including a quickbreak device and designed to obviate the danger of the mechanism remaining in an intermediate Y position in the event that the operating handle is released before the movement thereof is sufciently completed to cause the quick-break device to eiect engagement of the movable contact members or to effect disengagement of said contact members.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved latching device for releasably holding the cover of the casing in closed position.

The above objects of the invention and other objects which might hereinafter appear will be fully understood from the following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings which illustrate the preferred embodiment of the invention, it being understood that the invention may be embodied in other forms, and for this reason the drawings are to be considered as illustrative of the invention and not in limitation thereof.

In the drawings:

Fig. l is a View in elevation of the switch within the casing therefor, the casing cover being shown in open position;

Fig. 2 is a View in elevation and partly in section on the line 2 2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a sectional View, on a larger scale, on the line 3 3 of Fig. 2;

member or members with the stationary contact A 30 toggle rod forming part of the quick-break mechanism;

Fig. 4 is a view in elevation of the handle and of a bearing disk therefor;

Fig. 5 is a View of the bearing disk removed from the handle;

Fig. 6 is a view of an operating disk constituting part of the switch-actuating mechanism;

Fig. 7 is a sectional view through the switch block taken in line F- l of Fig. 1;

Fig. 8 is a detail sectional view of the stationary and movable contact members on the line 8-8 of Fig. 7, showing the movable contact member in closed position;

Fig. 9 is a sectional view on the line 9 9 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 10 is a sectional View on the line lil-I0 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 11 is an outer side view of one of the bearings for the switch operating rod, taken on the line l l-l I of Fig. 1;

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, the switch embodying the present invention comprises a sheet metal casing HJ having a pivoted cover I2 and housing vall of the switch parts except the operating handle Hl. As here shown, the switch includes hollow insulation blocks I6 each of which carries a pair of stationary contact members I8 and 2li, respectively, provided with connecting terminals 22 and 24, respectively. Said stationary contact members extend into the hollow block in spaced confronting relation for engagement therewith and therebetween of a movable contact member 26 carried by an insulation disk 28 (Fig. '7) mounted on a switch operating rod 30. While two switch blocks I 6 are shown, it will be understood that there may be more than two switch blocks or only one switch block, depending upon the intended use of the switch. Said switch blocks and the parts movable therein are preferably of the construction more specifically described in the application filed jointly by me and Sidney Rock concurrently herewith. Also as here shown, the switch includes a mounting block 32 of insulation material carrying fuse-blade connecting terminals 34 electrically and mechanically connected to terminals 35. It will be understood that the fuse-blade terminals 34 mounted on block 32 are in alignment with the fuse-blade terminals 24 of blocks I6. A fuse 38 is shown connected to the terminals 24 and 34 of one of the switch blocks and of block 32, the other fuse being removed for the sake of clearness of Fig. 3A is a fragmentary perspective view of a C5 the illustration.

Switch actuating rod 30 extends through the switch blocks I6 and is mounted for turning movement at one end thereof in a bearing 48, the other end of rod 38 being mounted in and supported by a disk 42 which is connected to and operated by the handle I4 as will hereinafter appear. More particularly, the ends of rod 3U are received in an opening 44 in bearing member 46 and in an opening 48 in bearing disk 42, each opening being dened by edges which confine the turning movement of rod 30 to a predetermined path in two directions and which provide knife edge bearings for the opposite sides of said rod at both ends thereof. As openings 44 and 46 are of the same conguration, only one need be specifically described. Thus, for example, referring to Fig. 6 which shows the opening 46 in bearing disk 42, it will be observed that said opening comprises opposed arcuate edges 48 and opposed pointed edges 50 which converge toward each other to define the knife edges 52 which engage the opposite sides of the rod. The side edges of rod 3U conform in curvature with the opposed curved edges of the bearing members 40 and 42 and have slidable engagement therewith. Bearing 40 is secured to the casing wall 54 preferably by welding the foot portion 40a of said bearing to said wall. A cap 4Gb prevents movement of rod 30 beyond said bearing.

Disk 42 constitutes means for initiating the actuation of rod 30 and is manually operated by handle I4, as previously indicated, and is therefore connected to said handle. Said handle is journalled for turning movement on casing ID. More specically, handle I4 has mounted thereon a bearing disk 56 having a circular edge 58 which engages the circular edge |50 in casing wall 62. Bearing disk 56 is seated on the flat end portion 64 of handle I4 and is provided with oppositely disposed dowel holes 66 which receive the dowel pins 68 struck up from handle portion. 64. Said bearing disk 56 is also provided at its peripheral edge with opposed notches which are aligned with the holes 'I2 in handle portion 64 to permit the passage of fastening screws 14 which are threaded into the tapped holes 'I6 in disk 42. Thus said disk 42 is securely fixed to handle I4 and the latter is journalled for turning movement on casing wall 62. Bearing disk 56 is provided with a central opening 'I8 which is larger than opening 46 in connecting disk 42 whereby to permit the projection of the adjacent end of rod outwardly beyond the opening in the connecting disk without however interfering,

with the turning movement of the rod.

Rod 30 is operated with a snap or quick-break action under the control of handle I4 and connecting disk 42 by the mechanism which will now be described. Said mechanism includes a lever 80 xed intermediate its ends to rod 30 in non-turning relation thereto and having arms 80a and 80h at opposite sides of the rod. Said lever is provided with an opening 82 which corresponds in configuration and size substantially to the cross section of said rod, with a slight clearance therebetween to permit the rod to be inserted and removed by movement thereof transversely of said lever. It will be understood that lever 80 turns with rod 38. Movement of lever 8E) longitudinally of the rod is prevented, when the parts of the switch are assembled and the handle is attached to connecting disk 42, by a guide bracket 84 which is secured to casing wall 54 preferably by welding thereto. Said bracket is U-shaped and is provided in its opposite sides bearings.

86 with aligned open-end slots 88, one in each of said bracket sides 86. The ends of lever 8d are provided with openings 9|] which communicate with the open-end slots 92 for the detachable pivotal connection with the ends of lever of spring projected toggle rods 94 and 9", respectively. As said toggle rods are of the same construction, the description of one of them will be suiilcient. Thus, for example, rod 64 comprises a forked end 98 provided with an opening |88 and integral with the longitudinal stem |02 of reduced width providing shoulders |84 at opposite edges of said stem of the rod at said forked end thereof. It will be understood that rods 94 and 96 are pivotally connected to the ends of the lever in detachable relation by inserting the forked end of each lever through the slot S2 in position to align the openings |08 in said rods with thc furcations |86 at each end of the lever, said furcations being movable through openings |00 in toggle rods upon relative movement of said rods and lever 80. The stem |02 of rod 94 slidably engages a bracket |68 secured preferably by welding to casing wall 62. Said bracket is provided with an inwardly projecting end wall ||0 provided with a slot ||2 in which the rod stem |02 engages the bracket. Said wall ||0 of bracket |08 also constitutes an abutment for one end of a spring II4, the other end of which engages shoulder |84 on the forked end 98 of the rod. Toggle rod 96 similarly slidably engages a bracket I I 6 which is in all respects similar to bracket |06 and like the latter is secured to casing wall 62 preferably by being welded thereto. Spring HB surrounds the stem of rod 96 and has its opposite ends in engagement with the shoulders at the forked end of said rod and with the inwardly projecting abutment wall |28 of bracket I I5. The outer ends of abutment walls ||8 and |20 are curved to engage the sides of the springs whereby to prevent accidental disconnection of rods 64 and 96 from said brackets.

Thus it is seen that lever 86 forms a pair of toggles with rods 94 and 96 and that each of said toggles is spring projecting. Said toggles extend transversely of the rod and are effective to turn the latter in two directions on the knife edge It is also apparent that the arms 80a and 80h of lever 38 constitute arms of the toggles which include rods 94 and 96 which constitute companion toggle arms, respectively. The ends |05 of lever 8|) are provided with angularly related edge portions |22 and |24, respectively, which by engagement with casing wall 54 constitute stops for the lever 89 in both directions of its turning motion.

The action of the handle and of the mechanism operable under the control of said handle for actuating rod 30 to open and close the switch will now be described. It will be understood that when the switch is open, the toggle mechanisms assume the position illustrated in Fig. 2, the inclined edge portion |24 of the adjacent lever end engaging the casing wall and, preventing further turning movement of lever 8 in the same direction. In order to close the switch, the handle I4 is turned in a counter-clockwise direction (viewing Fig. 2). The initial motion of said handle is ineffective to turn rod 3G, by reason of the lost motion connection between manually operated member 42 and said rod provided by opening 46 in said member. However, continued movement of the handle in the same direction causes opposite edge portions 50 at opposite sides of the knife edges 52 to engage opposite sides of the rod thereby to eifect turning of rod 30, also in a counter-clockwise direction (still viewing Fig. 2). When rod 30 turns, lever 8|! also turns therewith and by the connection of said lever with toggle rods 94compresses springs ||4 and I3. The turning movement of rod 36 and lever 8|) in the same direction continues under the control of handle I4 until the toggles are straightened and slightly over-centered. Immediately after the toggles pass their dead center position, which occurs at the same time, lever 80 is projected by the action of spring operated rods 94 and 95 to its other extreme position at which inclined edge portion |22 of the adjacent end of the lever engages casing wall 54, at which time the movable switch contact member or members are in switch-closing position in engagement with their companion stationary contact members. It will be understood that the projection of lever Si! by spring operated rods 94 and 96 occurs independently of handle I4 and of disk 42, and that this is permitted by the above mentioned lost motion connection between rod 3|) and connecting disk 42.

The operation of the mechanism for opening the switch is apparent and it will be understood that reverse action -occurs in an obvious manner so that the handle, after being turned in a clockwise direction (viewing Fig. 2) to cause the rod 35 and lever 86 to turn therewith stresses the springs I6 and I I8 so that after a predetermined movement of lever 8|) in the same direction to over-center the toggles, said springs are effective to project said lever and complete the movement thereof and of rod 3U to switch-opening position. It will be understood that in initial movement of rod 36 by disk 42 under the control of handle i4 for opening the switch, the movable switch contact member or members are almost completely disengaged from their companion stationary contact members so that a quick break between each set of movable and stationary contact members is effected by the toggles, which in the meantime have been overset or overeentered, so that the springs which act on said toggles are effective to move rod 30 with a snap action thereby quickly disengaging the movable and stationary contact members, thus providing the quick break for which the present switch is especially designed. On the other hand, in closing the switch, the movable contact members engage their companion contact members before the toggles are overcentered, and on this account the engagement of the movable and stationary contact members is not a snap engagement, although there is a quick completion of the engagement of said contact members which occurs after the toggles are overcentered.

It will be noted that the lost motion connection between handle I4 and rod 30 afforded by the engagement of one end of said rod in the bearing opening 48 of handle operated member 42 permits the quick break action of the toggles as soon as the latter are overcentered. It will be observed further that if handle I4 is released before the toggles are overcentered, said handle will be returned to a position which will indicate the true condition of the switch, that is whether the switch is open or closed. Thus if handle |4, when released, is at the right of the center line indicated at A-A in Fig. 2, the switch is open, while if the released handle is at the left of said center line A-A, viewing Fig. 2, the switch is closed. In other words, if the handle is moved from the left of the center line in Fig. 2| but is released before the toggles are overset for opening the switch, said handle will automatically return to the left of center line A-A, viewing Fig. 2, and this will indicate that the switch has not been opened; and a similar action occurs in the case of actuating the handle to close the switch, in which case the handle will return to the right of center line A-A if released before the toggles are overcentered for closing the switch. Handle stops |26 and |28 are secured to casing wall B2 on the exterior thereof and positioned thereby and engaged by said handle for limiting the turning movement thereof in both directions.

Casing I0 is provided with a latching mechanism |30 for releasably securing casing cover I2 in closed position. Said latching mechanism comprises a pivoted lever |32 having notched edge portion |34 adapted to receive the edge |36 of cover I2 at an opening |38 provided therein. Lever |32 is pivotally mounted adjacent its lower end on a pivot pin |40 having its outer end |42 riveted over the outer surface of casing wall 62 and provided with enlarged head portion |44 which limits the movement of lever |32 longitudinally of pin |45 in one direction, that is toward head |44. Lever |32 has an intermediate integral sleeve portion |45 which engages over the shank |41 of said pivot pin for the pivotal mounting of lever |32 and for maintaining said lever spaced from the inner surface of casing wall 62. A spring |46 has an intermediate coil portion |48, comprising aboutl 11,(2 turns, positioned onsleeve |45, said spring being provided for resiliently holding a part of lever |32 at the notch |34 thereof in engagement with the casing cover. The outer end portion |50 of said lever is provided with a camming edge portion |52 which is engaged by the edge |36 of the cover when the latter is moved to casing closing position, the lever |32 moving in a clockwise direction (viewing Fig. 2) in opposition to the action of spring |46. For this purpose one end |54 of said spring is connected to lever |32 through an opening |56 in said lever, while theother end |58 of said spring bears on a pin |66 riveted at one end |62 thereof to casing wall 62 and projecting inwardly from the latter. The lower end of lever |32 is provided with a notch |64 into which said pin |60 projects for limiting pivotal movement of lever |32 in both directions. The outer end portion |53 of lever |32 is provided with an opening |66 which projects beyond the outer surface of wall |68 of cover I2, when the latter is latched, to permit the attachment of a lock for securing the cover in closed position.

While I have shown and described the preferred embodiment of the invention, it will be understood that the latter may be embodied otherwise than as here shown, and it will be further understcod that in the form of the invention herein shown or described certain changes in the details of construction and arrangement of parts may be made. Therefore, I do not wish to be limited to the form of the invention herein shown or described, except as may be required by the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. A switch comprising contact members relatively movable for engagement with and disengagement from each other for closing and opening the switch, a longitudinally extending operating member operatively connected to one of said contact members for effecting said relative movement thereof for engaging and disengaging said contact members, said operating member being mounted for turning movement about its longitudinal axis, means for actuating said operating member comprising a plurality of toggles, each including a pair of spring controlled toggle arms operatively connected to said operating member for actuating the latter, one arm of each of said pairs of toggle arms being in fixed relation to said operating member, and mounted to turn only therewith about said longitudinal axis of said operating member, a handle mounted for turning movement co-axially of said member, and means xed directly to said handle and turnable thereby and having a lost motion connection directly with said operating member whereby movement of said operating member to disengage said contact members is initiated by said handle operated means and is completed by said toggles independently of said handle after a predetermined movement of the latter.

2. A switch comprising contact members relatively movable for engagement with and disengagement from each other for closing and opening the switch, a longitudinally extending operating member operatively connected to one of said Contact members for effecting said relative movement thereof for engaging and disengaging said contact members, said operating member being mounted for turning movement about its longitudinal axis, means for actuating said operating member comprising a plurality of toggles, each including a pair of spring controlled toggle arms operatively connected to said operating member for actuating the latter, one arm of each of said pairs of toggle arms being in iixed relation to said operating member, and mounted to turn only therewith about said longitudinal axis of said operating member, and a handle mounted for turning movement and operatively connected to said toggles for initiating the action thereof, said connection between said handle and said toggles comprising a member xed to said handle and turnable only therewith in xed relation thereto and having a knife-edge bearing in which one end of said longitudinally extending member is engaged.

3. A switch comprising contact members relatively movable for engagement with and disengagement from each other for closing and opening the switch, a longitudinally extending oberating member operatively connected to one of said contact members .for eiiecting said relative movement thereof for engaging and disengaging said contact members, said operating member being mounted for turning movement about its longitudinal axis, means for actuating said operating member comprising a plurality of toggles, each including a pair of spring controlled toggle arms operatively connected to said operating member for actuating the latter, one arm of each of said pairs of toggle arms being in xed relation to said operating member, and a handle mounted for turning movement and having a lost motion connection with said toggles for initiating the action thereof, said lost motion connection comprising a member fixed to said handle and turnable only therewith in fixed relation thereto and having a knife-edge bearing in which one end of said longitudinally extending member is engaged, the action of said toggles being completed independently of said handle following a predetermined turning movement thereof.

4. A switch comprising contact members relatively movable for engagement with and disengagement from each other for closing and opening the switch, a longitudinally extending operating member operatively connected to one of said Contact members for effecting said relative movement thereof for engaging and disengaging said contact members, said operating member being mounted for turning movement about its longitudinal axis, means for actuating said operating member cornprising a plurality Of toggles, each including a pair of spring controlled toggle arms operatively connected to said operating member for actuating the latter, one arm of each of said pairs oi toggle arms being in iixed relation to said operating member, and mounted to turn only therewith about said longitudinal axis of said operating member, a handle mounted for turning movement, and means operated by said handle and having a lost motion connection with said toggles whereby movement of said operating member to disengage said contact member is initiated by said handle operated means and is completed by said toggles independently of said handle after a predetermined movement of the latter, said means comprising a member naad to said handle and turnable co-axially therewith in iixed relation thereto, said member having a knife-edge bearing opening therein in which one end of said operating member is engaged or said turning movement thereof, the toggle arms of each toggle being movable from. positions in which they resiliontly oppose actuation of said operating member by said handle operated means to positions in which they assist each other to complete the actuation of said operating member independently of said handle operated means, whereby the operation of seid handle operated means is reversed and the toggle arms are returned to said first mentioned positions thereof if the handle is released before said toggles are rendered eiTective to complete the actuation of said operating member.

5. In an electric switch having stationary and movable contact members, mechanism for moving said movable Contact member into engagement with said stationary contact member. said mechanism including a longitudinally extending rod mounted for turning movement about its longitudinal axis, a member xed to said rod and extending transversely of said rod at both sides thereof and mounted thereon to turn only therewith about said rod axis, rods pivotallv connected to said transverse member at opposite sides of said longitudinally extending rod ard exten ing transversely of the latter, said transverse rods being movable from retracted positions to projected positions, spring means for opposing the movement of said transverse rods to s d retracted positions and i'or moving said transverse rods to said projected positions, and means ,for moving said transverse rods to said retracted positions in opposition to said spring means coinprising a handle mounted for turning movement and a member movable with said handle in xed relation thereto and engaging said first mentioned rod and having limited turning movement thereon about said rod axis in two directions, said last mentioned member being connected directly to said handle and being in dii-fot engagement with said rod.

6. In an electric switch having stationary and movable contact members, mechanism for moving said movable contact member into engagement with said stationary contact member, seid mechanism including a longitudinally extending rod mounted for turning movement about its longitudinal axis, a member fixed to said rod extending transversely of said rod at both sides thereof and mounted thereon to turn therewith about said transverse rod axis, rods pivotally connected to said transverse member at opposite sides of said longitudinally extending rod and extending transversely of the latter, said transverse rods being movable from retracted positions to projected positions, spring means for opposing the movement of said transverse rods to said retracted positions and for moving said rods to said projected positions, means for moving said transverse rods to said retracted positions in opposition to said spring means comprising a manually operable member in direct engagement with said rst mentioned rod and having limited turning movement thereon about said rod axis in two directions, a handle connected to said manually operable member in iixed relation thereto, and knife edge bearings for the ends of said rst mentioned rod, one of said bearings being formed in said manually operable member and the end of the rod engaged by said last mentioned bearing being in alignment with said longitudinal axis of the rod and the end of the rod engaged by said last mentioned bearing being in alignment with said longitudinal axis of the rod, the other of said bearings limiting the movement of said first mentioned rod about said axis thereof.

7, In a switch comprising a casing, stationary and movable contact members mounted in said casing, a rod mounted in said casing for turning movement about its longitudinal axis, a member fixed to said rod and extending transversely of said rod at both sides thereof and mounted thereon to turn only therewith about said transverse rod axis, rods pivotally connected to said transverse member at opposite sides of said longitudinally extending rod and extending transversely of the latter, said transverse rods being movable from retracted positions to projected positions, spring means for opposing the movement oi said transverse rods to said retracted positions and for moving said rods to said projected positions, and means for moving said transverse rods to said retracted positions in opposition to said spring means, said transverse member being positioned to engage a part of the casing at opposite sides of said longitudinally extending rod thereby to limit the movement of said rst mentioned rod in either of two directions.

8. In a switch comprising a casing, stationary and movable contact members mounted in said casing, a longitudinally extending rod mounted in said casing for turning movement about its longitudinal axis, a member fixed to said rod and extending transversely of said rod at both sides thereof and mounted thereon to turn only there- With about said rod axis, transverse rods pivotally connected to said transverse member at opposite sides of said longitudinally extending rod and extending transversely of the latter, said transverse rods being movable from retracted positions to projected positions, spring means for opposing the movement of said transverse rods to said retracted positions and for moving said rods to said projected positions, means for moving said transverse rods to said retracted positions in opposition to said spring means, comprising a manually operable member positioned within said casing and directly engaging said first mentioned rod and having limited turning movement thereon about said rod axis in two directions, one end oi said rod being supported by said manually operable member, and a handle positioned externally 0f the casing and connected directly to said manually operable member in iixed relation thereto.

9. In a switch comprising a casing, stationary and movable Contact members mounted in said casing, a longitudinally extending rod mounted in said casing for turning movement about its longitudinal axis, a member xed to said rod and extending transversely oi said rod at both sides thereof and mounted thereon to turn only therewith about said rod axis, rods pivotally connected to said transverse member at opposite sides of said longitudinally extending rod and extending transversely of the latter, said transverse rods being movable from retracted positions to projected positions, spring means for opposing the movement of said transverse rods to said retracted positions and for moving said rods to said projected positions, means for moving said transverse rods to said retracted positions in opposition to said spring means, said transverse member being positioned to engage a part oi the casing at opposite sides of said longitudinally extending rod thereby to limit lthe movement of said rod in either of two directions comprising a manually operable member positioned Within said casing and directly engaging said rst mentioned rod and having limited turning movement thereon about said rod axis in two directions, a handle positioned externally of the casing and connected to said manually operable member in fixed relation thereto and turnable only therewith, said handle having a part supported for turning movement in a wall of said casing, and knife edge bearings for the opposite ends, respectively, of said longitudinally extending rod, one of said bearings being fixed to a wall of said casing and the other of said bearings being formed in said manually operable member.

l0. A switch comprising stationary and movable Contact members, a rod for moving said movable contact member into and out of engagement with said stationary contact member, said rod mounted for turning movement about its longitudinal axis, a manually operable member having a lost motion connection directly with said rod for initiating the turning movement thereof, a handle connected directly to said manually operable member in fixed relation thereto, bearings for said rod, one of said bearings being formed in said manually operable member, a pair of spring controlled toggles connected to said rod at opposite sides transversely thereof, respectively, or completing the turning movement of said rod, one arm of each toggle being xed directly to said rod between the ends of the rod and turnable only with said rod and pivotally connected to its companion toggle arm, said toggles being over-centered by the initial movement oi the rod under the control of said manually operable member, and spring means acting on each 0f said companion toggle arms and through the latter on said fixed toggle arms to turn the rod.

CHRISTOPHER I. SMITH. 

